Cygnus (constellation)
constellation
Cygnus is a constellation in the northern sky. Cygnus means "swan" in Greek.[1] There is a pattern of stars in Cygnus that is called the Northern Cross. This is because the pattern of stars looks like a cross. The constellation Crux (constellation) has a pattern of stars that is called the Southern Cross. The astronomer Ptolemy listed Cygnus in the 2nd century when he made a list of constellations.
| Constellation | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | Cyg |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Cygni |
| Pronunciation | /ˈsɪɡnəs/, genitive /ˈsɪɡnaɪ/ |
| Symbolism | swan, The Northern Cross |
| Right ascension | 20.62 h |
| Declination | +42.03 |
| Quadrant | NQ4 |
| Area | 804 sq. deg. (16th) |
| Main stars | 9 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 84 |
| Stars with planets | 57 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 4 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 1 |
| Brightest star | Deneb (α Cyg) (1.25m) |
| Messier objects | 2 |
| Meteor showers | October Cygnids Kappa Cygnids |
| Bordering constellations | Cepheus Draco Lyra Vulpecula Pegasus Lacerta |
| Visible at latitudes between +90° and −40°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of September. | |
Deep-sky objects change
Famous stars change
References change
- ↑ "Cygnus (swan) also (modern) Northern Cross". Harvard. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
